Redemption In Your Eyes

Curved Lips

She was watching him, and he was reaching. Aster choked on a held breath, her gaze following Itachi's. Her eyes traced scarred earth and found his focus- Sasuke. The air in her chest burned and she took in his crumpled form and the slight person holding him. Now it was certain she was trapped in her own nightmare, but it seemed impossible to break free. She knew where this was going, she'd seen it before. Again, she tried to move and found her legs immobile. Once more Itachi rose to race to his last kin, and exactly as last time, blood rained over them.

It was over in seconds, a sick dejavu twisted in her. Brown soil was shining scarlet and warm to her fingers. Aster grit her teeth, watching a slender hand wind its way through Sasuke's hair, blood snaking down her wrist. It was becoming more than she could handle and she tore her eyes away. One accidental glance towards Itachi was all it took. Nails biting into the land, she turned her head skyward and opened her mouth to howl in agony.

Her eyes flipped open and Aster stared at the ceiling, breathing hard. One glimpse to her left told her she hadn't thrashed or screamed this time. Itachi was still asleep. She curled up, trying to get a handle on herself and right her breathing. It wouldn't do her any good to wake him, it would only cause trouble. Aster pinched her eyes shut, trying to find calm in the abyss behind her eyelids.

Nausea rocked her and she realized she couldn't simply lie under the covers and wait for it to pass. Fighting vertigo, she attempted to crawl out of the bed. Instead, she fell to the floor on her hands and knees. Aster drew in air as quietly as she could, battling her own heaves as her body contorted with stomach spasms. She used the night stand to struggle to her feet. With one last glance at Itachi's sleeping silhouette, she dashed into the bathroom.

Despite her efforts, the door made a soft thud as she dove into the restroom and too much light spilled over the floor boards. Hands trembling, she fell over the sink, sweat snaking down her back as she vomited.

His hand crawled over the cooling bedspread. Itachi wasn't quite sure what had awoken him, but Aster was gone. Pushing himself up on his elbows, he scanned the room, unable to miss the yellow light reaching under the bathroom door. The sound of running water invaded the silence and he knew where she was. Fresh air hit his bare skin as he slipped from the covers, raising gooseflesh on his chest and legs. Knocking only for formality, he pushed open the door.

To his surprise, he felt Aster throw her weight against the wood. "W-wait a second." Fearful impulse had driven her, and now she realized her mistake. Not once in their entire time here had she denied him access to her while they were alone. Knowing her façade was now pointless, she locked the door and cleaned up, trying to lessen what he would find.

The door handle rattled momentarily before the lock popped open. Aster sighed. I should have known a lock wouldn't keep him... She turned around quickly, straightening her night shirt.

"What happened?" Itachi narrowed his eyes.

Aster smiled nervously. "Stripes, huh?" She pointed at his boxers.

He advanced on her, ignoring her comment. "What happened?" Turning to the sink, he added, "You didn't clean the evidence very well..."

She grimaced. "I... I..."

Suddenly a knowing look spread over him. "Oh." His face softened. "Another nightmare..."

Itachi leaned over her as she tried to push past him. "It's nothing..." She flipped the handle, attempting to wash away the remains of her stomach. "I'm fine."

"You didn't scream this time..." He observed hesitantly, "But I don't think it's fine... and don't tell me they're getting better..."

She trembled under him and her steadied her by the waist. "Well..." Aster cut the water, pulling back. "What do you want to hear then?" Confusion shaped his expression and she glared at him. "What else can I say to you?"